One of the most urban and popular cities of New Zealand is the flourishing city of Auckland. Located on the North Island, the city of Auckland is a hub or culture, arts, and urban lifestyle, making it one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world. Some of the highlights of Auckland include cultural and historic museums, unique festivals, art exhibitions, parks, sports, and traditional as well as modern entertainment.
One of the most historic and culturally significant landmarks of Auckland is the Civic Theatre. Considered to be the oldest atmospheric theatre in existence, the Civic Theatre is a testament to traditional arts and theatre, and is a landmark of great heritage. This grandly constructed structure is visited by many lovers of culture and theatre, and thus is one of the most renowned cultural and historic attractions within the city.
Located on Queen Street, the Civic Theatre was built in 1929 for the purpose of showing ‘talking pictures’. Originally designed to resemble a ‘movie palace’ the Civic Theatre is designed in Rococo style with sharp influences of Indian architecture. Therefore, amidst the typical grand staircases, towering columns and dazzling chandeliers, one can find a sculpture of a seated Buddha along with domed ceilings and minarets. The theatre has a seating capacity of over 2,300, and thus remains the largest theatre in New Zealand to date.
In its prime, the Civic Theatre was the site of many musicals and theatre productions which were performed under the illusionary starry skies of the ceiling. The theatre was extensively renovated throughout the 1990’s and was eventually re-opened grandly in 1999, while also being upgraded with equipment capable of modern movie screening. Since then, the Civic Theatre has hosted a variety of orchestras, musicals, dramas, and other productions, making it a common attraction amongst theatre and musical lovers. There is no doubt that the Civic Theatre is a piece of culture and heritage of Auckland, and therefore it is a must-visit landmark by all those who visit the city.
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Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
